amazing experience - 3 months post a deep plane facelift

My experience was more than I thought it would be. I am 3 months post a deep plane facelift. So, here's my "short" story. I researched Dr. Qurioz for a month before I finally set up a video consultation with him. It was brief but he took the time to answer all of my questions. I had interviewed quite a few Doctors, and I narrowed it down to Dr Quiroz and a doctor in GA. I chose Dr. Quiroz because I could stay and get the care I needed at the facility. They required me to be at the facility 2 days before surgery to get checked in, blood drawn and settled in before surgery. When I flew to San Diego, a Vido shuttle bus picked me up at the airport. Once at the facility, I was checked in and they took my blood work, blood pressure etc. The cardiologist had the personality of a rock. I was taken to my room where I would stay post-surgery and for the next 5 days. They are very well organized and friendly. The facility was clean, and the cleaning crew were constantly cleaning which was cool by me. My room was very nice and private. I was extremely nervous the day of my surgery, but a nurse gave me a pep talk and encouraged me that everything will be ok and I'm going to love my results. After surgery I stayed in my own private recovery room for the 1st 24 hours. I was in and out of sleep, but I remember Dr Quiroz coming in to check on me. I had no pain at all. To make a long story a little short, I was taken to my private room where I was able to get good rest. The staff checked on me at least three times a day. The entire staff on the second floor is AMAZING! They brought me three meals a day and let me tell you the food was soooo good and very healthy! Sometimes I wanted a little snack which was no problem due to the snack area that is on the same floor and was outside of my room. It had a cozy sitting area inside or you can go outside and sit and enjoy the little waterfall. There's a rooftop area with a beautiful view especially at night. The staff made sure I was comfortable and brought me my medication each day. They cleaned my surgery areas each day, took my blood pressure, and checked my temperature. They changed the linen on my bed as well. I felt so cared for and so special that I forgot there were other patients on the same floor in which I am sure received the same treatment. One nurse told me "it is her job to take care of me and it was my time to relax and be pampered and that she loved making me feel welcomed and pampered". On the 5th day my stitches were removed which didn't hurt at all. Afterwards, I left to fly back home, still no pain. Now let me tell you, there will be discomfort but not pain. My face felt extremely tight and that do not go away right away. I am 3 months post-surgery, and the tightness is somewhat still there but not as much as the first two months. The shuttle bus took me back to the airport. I know we all have researched, and we see people looking fabulous in just seven days and have their cute make up on. That was NOT the case for me. I was bruised and swollen. By the second week, the bruising and swelling was subsiding and i began to look normal again. I returned to work my 3rd week. I could've gone back in 2 weeks, but I decided to give myself an extra week. I hid the scars behind my ears with my hair, I wore bangs to hide the scars on my eyelids. As of today, I cannot see scars around my ear on my face, you cannot tell I had surgery, but the scars behind my ears are still fading but visible, but not bad. I still hide those with my hair. The scar underneath my chin is still visible, a light scar but no one notices it. The scar on my upper eyelids is visible on one eyelid and completely gone on the other eye. No one knows it's a scar, only I do because I know what I had done. I put a tiny bit of make up over and its like it's not even there. Keep in mind I am brown skin, so scars show on my pigmentation a bit more than lighter skin. People, please give yourself time to heal and do not think you're going to look like the people you see on social media looking so fabulous just days after surgery. I am not going to lie, there were a few times I panicked on my 9th and 12th days after I got home because I was not looking like those ladies on social media. I kept contacting the staff at Vido like what is wrong with me that I still look like Shrek lol. They always responded to my texts and emails and never made me feel stupid for feeling a little afraid. You WILL feel discomfort due to the nerves healing and oh that is a weird feeling. My face is still numb, but I am getting my feeling back slowly but surely. My advice is to follow Dr Quiroz's instructions and do what you are supposed to do. Stay away from direct sunlight, alcohol and sleep upright on your back. Be patient patient patient. This surgery is not for you if you are looking for quick results like botox or you're an impatient person. People I know cannot tell I've had anything done. A couple of friends said I look young, but they think it's because I changed my hairstyle lol. People who do not know me say I look young for my age. My kids say they do not see a difference because I have always looked young for my age. I'm praying it just gets better and better in these next few months. I want to look YOUNG shucks LOL! I need my look to match my energy :). Dr Quiroz is very nice; his staff is very nice. The young lady that does the lymphatic drainage massages is extremely funny and for her to be so young she has the best stories :). I have to mention Violeta, the sweetest, kindest, and friendliest person you'll ever meet. She made sure all of my concerns were addressed especially when I returned back home. I totally recommend staying at the facility post-surgery, you will not regret it. They made everything so much easier and took a lot of pressure off me and my family. Oh yeah, my children were very concerned about me going out of the country to have a major surgery by myself. So, my son flew out the day of my surgery. Vido made sure my son was settled into my room (the rooms have two beds). Vido shuttle bus picked him up from the airport as well and took him back when he left. They brought him food too. He called my other children and told them there was nothing to worry about, I was being well taken care of.